ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 117, 11 February 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent Theatre is Showing “Splendour”

A very impressive story of a family whose mad desire to regain the wealth they have lost overshadows their ideals and leads to an entanglement which is full of romantic pathos in its unravelling, "Splendour,” now at the Regent, is excellent entertainment. Headed by Miriam Hopkins, who has plenty of opportunity to display her vital dramatic talent, and Joel McCrea, who plays opposite her as Brighton, the heir of the Larrimore family, who has not the same knack of making money as his forefathers, the film has a very strong east. The part of the mother is excellently played by Helen Westley. As Phyllis, Miriam Hopkins is torn between her love for her husband and the desire to see him earn money and fame by his own capabilities, and the contentment and gratitude of her husband’s family that she, whom they regarded as a worthless outcast, has been instrumental in restoring them to wealth. Paul Cavanagh plays the part of Marting Deerin iwith sincerity. The supporting programme includes an amusing comedy feature and interesting newsTeels. “Hands Across the Table.” An outsatnding programme will be presented at the Regent Theatre next Friday. The first feature will be “Hands Across the Table,” starring Carole Lombard and Fred Mac-Murray. It is a gay and sparkling romance of a couple of fortune hunters who stopped hunting when they found each other. Also on the programme is “At the Bottom of the World,” a pictorial record of Byrd’s adventures in the Antarctic.

“Anna Karenina” Still at Majestic Theatre

A picture that must be considered one of .those rare occasions when everything comes up to expectations is at the Majestic Theatre in “Anna Karenina,” the film version of Leo Tolstoy’s famous book. It io now in its second week. Though the players chosen for the principal .parts, Greta Garbo and Fredric March, must account for part of the film’s success, the essentials of a great picture are to be found in the story and in which has been very sympathetic. “O'Shaughnessy's Boy.”

Coming to the Majestic Theatre on Friday next are Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper, who will be seen in “O’Shaughnessy’s Boy,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. Associated with the illustrious pair are Spanky McFarlane.

“Here Comes the Band” at St. James Theatre

Catchy new song numbers and gay musical comedy are features of the Metro-Goldwyu-Mayer musical show, “Here Comes the Band,” which is at the St. James Theatre. Harry Stock as Ollie Watte, sings “Headin’ Home” and “Roll Along, Prairie Moon.” Ted Lewis, as Ted Lowry, and Virginia Bruce as a mysterious Margaret Joues who once aspired to singing fame on the air, take the lead, and antics in plenty are provided by Ted Healy as "Happy” and Nat Pendleton as "Piccolo Pete.’’ The picture is carried along by its comedy, and. the story running through it is appropriately slight, “Here Comes the Band” is a programme in its'elf, but supporting it are a number of shorts of unusual interest. “The Perfect Gentleman.”

Three great names that mean 100 per cent, entertainment are starred in Metro-Goldwyu-Mayer's sparkling comedy, "The Prefect Gentleman,” which comes to the St. James Theatre on Friday. They are Frank Morgan, Cicely Courtneidge, ana Herbert Mundin. Other popular players in the east are Heather Angel. Una O'Connor and Brenda Forbes. It is the story of the hilarious rise of a down-at-heel niaior to a musical comedy star. His clothes were in pawn, but he was still a perfect gentleman, “Two For To-night” at De Luxe Theatre A gay, romantic, and very musical comedy, “Two for To-night," featuring Bing Crosby, Joan Bennett and Mary Boland, is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Song hits interspersed at appropriate moments include "I Wish I Were Aladdin,” “Takes Two to Make a Bargain,” ‘.'Tw.o for To-night,” “From the Top of Your Head to the Tip of Your Toes." And. final delight, Bing achieves bis life-long desire to star as a tapdancer. He gives a somewhat ludicrous version of a troupe of chorus girls. There is an excellent snipporting programme. In addition, the lie Luxe Concert Orchestra present a new programme. "Nevada.” A double star programme will be presented at the De Luxe Theatre next Friday. The first feature is “Nevada,” starring Buster Crabbe and Kathleen Burke, and the supporting picture is a romantic drama, “The Virginia Judge.”

“Hop-a-long Cassidy” at Paramount Theatre A. wild-west story of wide appeal— Clarence E. Mulford’s classic, "Hop-a-long Cassidy”—is being presented to Wellington theatre patrons at the Paramount Theatre, as a return season following its very popular reception during the holiday season. The story deals with the full-blooded activities of the wild west

•country when the establishing- of homes and ranches was an adventure as well as a business. There is also another popular return attraction, “Here Comes Cookie,” featuring George Burns and Oracle Allen —an uproarious comedy-drama. Coming Attractions.

Coming to the Paramount Theatre on Friday are “Beggars in Ermine,” starring Lionel Atwill, and "No Limit,” starring Florence Desmond and George Formby.

“Top Hat” at State Theatre

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “Top Hat” are still at the State Theatre. The picture cannot fail to give picturegoers good entertainment. It is a fMm which cannot help but command the attention of all those picture-goers who delight in snappy dialogue, catchy music, clever dancing and spectacular ballets. In addition, there is a clever story that keeps the audience engrossed until the last scene. Fred Astaire is his usual fascinating, ugly self; his feet perform miracles, and his voice is a good complement. Ginger Rogers is at once decorative, amusing and clever with her dancing.

“The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” at Plaza

Dashing Ronald Gelman, and the beautiful Joan Bennett have combined in “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo,” which is at the Plaza Theatre. Romance an comedy go hand in hand in this _ picture. Ronald Colman plays au impoverished Russian prince who goes to Monte Carlo with his meagre savings and runs the stake up to 10.000,000 francs at baccarat, breaking the bank at the sporting club. The supporting (programme, which includes two interesting and, at the same time, amusing educational films’, is in keeping with the main attraction.